About to Plunge

[ChameleonAlley]

Into owning my first chameleon.

Hello everyone, thank you for all the great great info you all have provided in this forum. It is really amazing and so helpful. This is my first post, so please go lightly on me.... So, I've owned many many reptiles throughout my childhood and on into early adulthood, but I've never owned a chameleon. I had always wanted to as a kid, but could never afford one. My most unique reptile that I owned was either a male green basalisk or a pygmy rattlesnake.

I'm now older and can afford to take the leap into chameleonhood. I was hoping that all you experts could help me get all the things that I will need and help me out a little. I'm looking at Nosy Falys right now. As for cages, I've been looking at a 4' high by 2' by 2' screen. I've also been looking at automatic misters. I just got back from the Superzoo tradeshow and talked to a guy who has ownded many veileds. He gave me some input on bulbs to use. If any of you have the time, can you tell me what the best but good priced equipment you would suggest? I'm good on the cage but not to sure about lighting, misting equipment, where to buy food (other than petco), temperature and humidity settings, and any supplements? Much love to anyone who helps.

 

[Gluuvan]

Welcome to the forums bud,

Chameleons are a great load of fun and on this site people will always be willing to help. They do require work, but if you set everything up properly and take care of it all. Everything for the most part will go smooth.

Most keepers here for lighting, UVB being the most important, use the http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/uvb-fluorescent-lights-mercury-vapor-bulbs/-/zoo-med-18-repti-sun-50-uvb-bulb/. It is the best bulb for chameleons on the market.

A decent mister for automation is thehttp://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/bowls-drippers-misters-and-humidifiers/-/zoo-med-habba-mist-auto-mist-system/. You can also go with a dripper there are some DIY systems that people have setup. You can look those up in the search area on the forums.

I would recommend getting some sort of temp gauge and humidity gauge. Allows you to regulate things better for the cham. Different species have different requirements for humidity and ambient temp's i would look up guides to keeping panther chameleons, if that is what you decide to go with.

Not sure where you are located but you can usually find a wholesaler to pickup crickets from. They are the best staple diet for chams and take to gut loading very well. Dusting with supplements if a for sure requirement, you will need to get

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/vitamins-medicines-and-cage-cleaners/-/repcal-ultra-fine-calcium-with-d3/

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/vitamins-medicines-and-cage-cleaners/-/rep-cal-calcium-without-d3/

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...cage-cleaners/-/repcal-herptivite-supplement/

I am sure you will have more questions and feel free to ask me or any other person here. Keep us posted and good luck

Chris

 

[ChameleonAlley]

Hey, thanks alot for all the info Chris. Thanks for the welcome. Should I be buying all of those supplements or should I use just ones of them? Also, I've read that some suggest two different types of bulbs, one for basking and another one. Is this true, or do I just need the Reptisun? Thanks for the help man.

 

[Doug7025]

Go with the Mist King from Marty rather than the Habba-Mist. It works great, and is a quality system.

 

[hallenhe]

Should I be buying all of those supplements or should I use just ones of them?

You would want to buy all the supplements. Young chameleons are usually supplemented daily; the protocol I got was Herptivite Monday and Thursday, Rep-Cal calcium with D3 Tuesday and Friday, and Miner-All 0 (no D3) Wednesdays and Saturdays (with Sunday off); this worked fine. Older animals need fewer supplements; e.g. vitamins and calcium once a week, with the calcium + D3 only once a month.
As for lights, depending on your climate and ambient temperatures, you may or may not need a separate basking lamp. My UV-B lamp is mercury vapor, which also provides heat; the Reptisun is cooler (and probably better), but does not put out as much heat. You certainly won't need an extraneous heat lamp for night - no red lights, ceramic lamps, etc.
Welcome!